American Indians Cope with Homelessness and Housing Shortages

An American Indian mother and her daughter (48 and 22) recently arrived in New York City from North Carolina. “They’re having problems, struggling in the street, trying to clean up. They lost their IDs, and are staying with a sister,” explained Pam Albert, a wellness and health coordinator with the American Indian Community House (AICH). Albert, who is Ojibway and originally from Canada, has been working with the women to help them access much-needed services and adjust to big city life.

“That’s the hardest part, to see a mother and daughter struggle, I think because they reminded me of me and my daughter,” said Albert. She added that the women have become frustrated because they haven’t been able to obtain more comprehensive social services or housing. “They’re asking, ‘Can we get Section 8 [housing]?’ When I tell them there’s a waiting list, they get upset with me,” said Albert.

American Indians certainly aren’t alone in struggling with New York’s steep housing costs and critical lack of affordable units. However, Rosemary Richmond, the executive director of the AICH and of Mohawk descent, pointed out that American Indians are often ill-prepared to deal with those challenges, since many come from areas that are much more community oriented and have much more laid back housing markets. Some Indian nations are even in a position to provide substantial housing assistance to elderly and needy members, often because of casinos, federal funding or other sources of revenue.

“The homeless problem in New York isn’t as bad as it was 20 years ago, when there were lots of people sleeping on grates, but we still have a lot of clients who are homeless,” said Albert. She and others at the AICH help those in need obtain Medicare, ID cards, jobs and referrals to counseling and other services. She also initiates the lengthy paperwork process to apply for subsidized housing, which has been in perennial short supply. “We don’t have a place to send natives per se. Housing we get just like everyone else through the New York housing announcements,” said Albert.

The city’s shelter system is notorious for crime and unpleasant conditions, and is therefore seen by Albert and others as a last resort. As a result, there are a number of American Indians who have been on the cold streets of New York for years.